Disclaimer: I own nothing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome stood immediately, only to be knocked back down by a small something fell through the roof and straight in her lap. Kagome stared at the little figure in her lap, blinking rapidly as the image before her dispelled. For a brief moment, she had seen a shadow image that overlapped the figure's aura. She had seen it quite clearly and a word clicked into place in her mind. She continued to stare until Sango broke through her thoughts and said, "Kagome-chan? Are you all right? Who is that?"
Kagome turned to reply when the figure in her lap jumped up. "Rin is okay! Rin is looking for Sesshomaru-sama? Can you tell Rin where Sesshomaru-sama is?"
Kagome didn't understand but words were forced from her lips. She stood and went to Rin. "Rin?" she spoke softly and comfortably, "Sesshoumaru-sama is not here right now. He won't be here for a while but he told us to watch you until he comes back. Is that okay with you?"
Her eyes filled with guilt at the complete trust that the child showed her.
Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha stared at Kagome, startled. "O . . . Oi Kagome- " Inuyasha tried to protest when she turned to him and said, "She will travel with us. She is the Orphan." With the silvery glow that shone from her eyes, it was not a request. But an order, given with such force and will that it had Inuyasha swallowing the immediate agreement that had suddenly welled up in his throat.
He began to protest again but the look in her eyes commanded no disagreement. Rin was nodding her head and said cheerfully, "Okay. Rin will go with you until Sesshomaru-sama comes to get Rin," Her expression turned thoughtful, "But what will Jaken-sama do? Jaken-sama has to watch Rin. So will Jaken-sama come with Rin?"
Kagome opened her mouth to respond but whatever she had to say was lost when a second figure dropped through the hole in the roof. "We are not traveling with a group of filthy humans and a bastard hanyou," it said, "My lord Sesshoumaru-sama gave you no such orders. We will go to him."
Inuyasha was instantly growling at the toad youkai but was cut off when Kagome spoke, "You will come with us Jaken-sama. You may look all you like for Sesshoumaru-"
"sama," a small voice cut in.
"Sesshomaru-sama," Kagome smiled at the small girl before turning her attention back to the youkai with frigid eyes, "You may look all you wish for Sesshoumaru-sama but you will not find him. He is no longer here. He will return someday but only if you and Rin-chan come with us. It is vital to the future that you do. You are the Demon Servant as Rin-chan is the Orphan. I'm not asking you Jaken-sama. I will force you to come if need be although I will prefer that I don't."
Jaken glared fiercely at the girl, there was something wrong with the human. He was sure that this was the same cowardly, weak human girl that traveled with the hanyou and the humans but now everything about her was screaming at him to submit to her. He was surprised at the dominant behavior of the female but didn't show it. He just turned the staff of heads, shouting, "Talking Gibberish!"
"KAGOME!!!" "KAGOME-CHAN!!!" "KAGOME-SAMA!!!" Three voices shouted almost in unison as the fire enveloped her. Inuyasha shot forwards to pull her out or to at least knock the staff away but before he had taken more than three steps, they all heard a loud sigh from the depths of the fire, "I guess I have to convince you the hard way."
The flames abruptly vanished. Kagome stepped forwards, her eyes colored completely silver and her mark blazing to show that Hikari was once again in control. But before anyone could take a step, to her (as her friends were about to do) or away from her (as Jaken was about to), she whipped her hand out. Jaken's arms and legs snapped together and his whole form turned rigid. She made a simple gesture and his feet lifted from the floor and his body drifted to her until they were about an arm length away. "You will journey with us toad. You have no choice in the matter. The fate of the future hangs in the balance and I will not allow your stubbornness to destroy it."
Jaken gulped. Her eyes were chilling him, appearing as if she was looking into his soul. Hikari clenched her fist when he did not respond and Jaken nodded hurriedly. The air had been cut off from his windpipe and he breathed deeply, coughing as he was dropped to the ground.
She smiled and said, "Good, I thought you'd see things my way and don't even thing of trying to desert because I won't allow it. Oh and one more thing. They are not 'filthy humans' and Inuyasha is NOT 'that bastard hanyou.' Understand? They are your equals in this and we are not below you. After this is over, you may go where you wish until Sesshoumaru is released."
Hikari nodded at Jaken's agreement, lifting her eyebrow at the others as they stared at her, "What? I need these two to accompany you. I don't care if you want them to or not. They are going with you whether you like it or not."
Inuyasha and Sango looked both surprised and wary at the same time but Miroku merely looked thoughtful. "Is Kagome-sama aware of any of this Hikari-san?"
"Some of it. She listens and tells me things when she feels like contributing but she is still trying to regain her memory so she asks me many questions, some of which I can answer for her and some of which I can't," Hikari turned to Inuyasha, "It really is amazing what she will do for you. Even if she doesn't remember."
"O-Oi! Matte!" Inuyasha reached forwards but knew he was already too late, as the silver faded once more. Kagome turned her attention to the newest two to their group. Miroku drew Jaken aside, pulling out the scroll with the prophecy and explaining what had happened as well as he could, excluding the part with Sesshoumaru being pinned to a tree of course.
Jaken grumbled a bit but remained silent during the whole speech, what had just occurred was more than enough make him believe just about anything.
"Gomen ne Shippo-chan," Kagome whispered, crouching down and extending a hand to where the little kitsune was staring at her, fear and confusion clouding his eyes. Shippo watched the hand, not moving. "If you and Rin-chan come here, I can explain."
Rin went to her immediately, nothing seemed to move her from the cheerful state of mind. Shippo went slowly but eventually, they were both seated comfortably in her lap.
"Now listen to me you two. There's something very important that we have to do. Something that no one else can. But there are things that don't want us to finish it so they are going to try and stop us. When that time comes, The one who you just saw is Hikari. She won't hurt you. She's a friend okay?"
They nodded.
"Now Shippo-chan, I expect you to protect Rin-chan. Don't let her get hurt. I know you can do it."
Shippo's chest puffed with pride as he responded, "Hai! I will Kagome!"
Kagome smiled at both of them reassuringly, placing them both gently on the ground. She turned her attention to outside the small hut, having had something pull at her mind.
Kagome stood suddenly, her eyes confused but she recognized the steady pulse of what was coming. "There's a Shikon shard coming . . . I think."
"Eh?" Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at her critically but came to stand next to her to peer in the direction that she was staring.
"I'm not really sure . . ." Kagome said, her eyes narrowed as she focused on the presence that sent shivers down her spine, "But, I think that there's something big with it."
Inuyasha looked skeptical but stepped outside. "Keh," he snorted, "There's nothing there."
"Look out!" she shouted, ducking to cover the two little ones as best as she could. She threw one hand out to the ceiling, offering no explanation to her friends who were looking at her as if she had gone insane. Sango had just opened her mouth to inquire if she was feeling all right but at that moment, the hut shattered. Splintered planks of wood and debris flew at them, or would have, had the whole room not been covered in a glowing shield.
Kagome blinked, staring at her hand curiously, but not moving it as the junk still flew at them. Kagome glanced down at her other hand, lifting it and opening her fist when she felt something poking her. A small crystal pendant lay clenched in her palm. She lifted it closer to see that it hung on a thin silver-linked chain.
'Give it to him.'
Kagome nearly jumped at the voice but her control was strong enough so that she did not, for if she did, and she didn't know how she knew, but the shield would leave them and they would all be unprotected against whatever force was out there.
She looked at the necklace once more, understanding coming to her. "Inuyasha," she called out, gesturing with her hand for him to come to her.
"What is it?" Inuyasha crouched beside her.
"Here," she grabbed one of his hands, pressing the small item into it, "Please take it."
Inuyasha looked at it, confused, "What do I do with it?"
"You have to wear it. Please. It's important," Kagome pleaded with it. The understanding that it was vital that he wore it.
Inuyasha saw the pleading in her eyes and the fear that he would not accept it. He sighed, slipping the chan over his head slowly, tucking it carefully into his robes where it would not bother him. He released it, pondering why he could barely feel that it was there. He blinked when the necklace seemed to pulse. But when he glanced at it again, nothing was different and he felt nothing now.
He turned his attention back to the situation, the dust in the air cleared, and exposing the group to everything that was out there. Walking towards them were two familiar figures, backed by an enormous swarm of youkai.
"Kagura," Inuyasha spat harshly, drawing the Tetsusaiga in preparation.
"Kohaku," Sango's voice was much quieter, her youkai taijiya outfit ready and the Hiraikotsu swung over her back. Kirara was on her shoulder, bristling.
Kagome felt a strange, draining sensation fill her mind and she closed her eyes. But it was Hikari that opened them. The silver gleamed and the mark was blazing. She raised an eyebrow at everyone who was watching her.
"What? Kagome still doesn't remember enough to know what she's doing," was all that she offered by way of explanation, "Now listen to me carefully. If all goes right, Kagome will get her memory back. There are going to be challenges for all of you in this battle and I don't just mean physical. You must not give in to them. Sango, you already know about Kohaku but he is spawn of the darkness now. Remember that. I can tell you no more. But please, I beg of you, make your decisions wisely."
She stood, walking around the two children slowly, where she stepped leaving a thin silver line etched into the ground. "Do not leave here little ones and you will be safe," she told them.
She walked to the edge of the barrier that Kagome had created, pressing against it lightly. They all watched, shocked, as her hand flamed but she did not draw away, instead pressing deeper into it, before pulling back. She blew once on her flaming hand, extinguishing the fire but no mark was there to show that it had ever been there at all.
"Astounding," Hikari murmured, before turning to them to announce, "I cannot break it. Inuyasha, you will have to cut it with Tetsusaiga." She sighed when she noticed the confusion on their faces, "A full trained miko is able to control her powers at will. They work when she wants them to and to that extent. Kagome is different. She has not yet been trained and her powers are still in their raw state. Her powers work in a way that I have seen only once before. How well her miko powers work is determined on her desire and emotional state. The feeling of protecting all of you has increased her power to far stronger than she is supposed to be capable of. She has, somehow, in the past two years, been maturing her power little by little since it was revealed. But she has no idea how she has been doing it or how to control it. So she does not have the control that a trained miko has. Instead, her miko powers work based on her feelings and her will. This has made her barrier to strong for anyone, except herself to take down. But I believe that her aura will recognize yours and allow the Tetsusaiga to cut it
No one moved.
"Oh just cut the damn thing already Inuyasha," Hikari grumbled, growing impatient at the slowness in which everyone processed the information that they had been given.
Inuyasha glared at her but concentrated as the blade of the sword gleamed crimson. He lifted it above his head, leaping into the air, and shouting, "Kaze no Kizu!"
The ropes of wind swept from the red blade, striking the barrier fully. At first it appeared that it would not work as they watched the two forces fight for dominance. The barrier absorbed the winds, making it seem like the Kaze no Kizu had, had no effect. It wavered, shimmering in the air before slowly fading into nothing.
"Alright now," Hikari raised one arm to be parallel with the floor, her eyes narrowed, "Let's go."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jap. Translations:
Matte - wait
-san - Mr./Mrs. (same as -sama)
Kaze no Kizu - Wound of the Wind (the Tetsusaiga's attack)
Kitsune - fox
Gomen - sorry
Hai - yes
Taijiya - exterminator
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Note: Whew . . . This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Ah well, only a few parts left to go. Oh and for ther readers of 'Forlorn Hope,' it has been transferred to this account.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome stood immediately, only to be knocked back down by a small something fell through the roof and straight in her lap. Kagome stared at the little figure in her lap, blinking rapidly as the image before her dispelled. For a brief moment, she had seen a shadow image that overlapped the figure's aura. She had seen it quite clearly and a word clicked into place in her mind. She continued to stare until Sango broke through her thoughts and said, "Kagome-chan? Are you all right? Who is that?"
Kagome turned to reply when the figure in her lap jumped up. "Rin is okay! Rin is looking for Sesshomaru-sama? Can you tell Rin where Sesshomaru-sama is?"
Kagome didn't understand but words were forced from her lips. She stood and went to Rin. "Rin?" she spoke softly and comfortably, "Sesshoumaru-sama is not here right now. He won't be here for a while but he told us to watch you until he comes back. Is that okay with you?"
Her eyes filled with guilt at the complete trust that the child showed her.
Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha stared at Kagome, startled. "O . . . Oi Kagome- " Inuyasha tried to protest when she turned to him and said, "She will travel with us. She is the Orphan." With the silvery glow that shone from her eyes, it was not a request. But an order, given with such force and will that it had Inuyasha swallowing the immediate agreement that had suddenly welled up in his throat.
He began to protest again but the look in her eyes commanded no disagreement. Rin was nodding her head and said cheerfully, "Okay. Rin will go with you until Sesshomaru-sama comes to get Rin," Her expression turned thoughtful, "But what will Jaken-sama do? Jaken-sama has to watch Rin. So will Jaken-sama come with Rin?"
Kagome opened her mouth to respond but whatever she had to say was lost when a second figure dropped through the hole in the roof. "We are not traveling with a group of filthy humans and a bastard hanyou," it said, "My lord Sesshoumaru-sama gave you no such orders. We will go to him."
Inuyasha was instantly growling at the toad youkai but was cut off when Kagome spoke, "You will come with us Jaken-sama. You may look all you like for Sesshoumaru-"
"sama," a small voice cut in.
"Sesshomaru-sama," Kagome smiled at the small girl before turning her attention back to the youkai with frigid eyes, "You may look all you wish for Sesshoumaru-sama but you will not find him. He is no longer here. He will return someday but only if you and Rin-chan come with us. It is vital to the future that you do. You are the Demon Servant as Rin-chan is the Orphan. I'm not asking you Jaken-sama. I will force you to come if need be although I will prefer that I don't."
Jaken glared fiercely at the girl, there was something wrong with the human. He was sure that this was the same cowardly, weak human girl that traveled with the hanyou and the humans but now everything about her was screaming at him to submit to her. He was surprised at the dominant behavior of the female but didn't show it. He just turned the staff of heads, shouting, "Talking Gibberish!"
"KAGOME!!!" "KAGOME-CHAN!!!" "KAGOME-SAMA!!!" Three voices shouted almost in unison as the fire enveloped her. Inuyasha shot forwards to pull her out or to at least knock the staff away but before he had taken more than three steps, they all heard a loud sigh from the depths of the fire, "I guess I have to convince you the hard way."
The flames abruptly vanished. Kagome stepped forwards, her eyes colored completely silver and her mark blazing to show that Hikari was once again in control. But before anyone could take a step, to her (as her friends were about to do) or away from her (as Jaken was about to), she whipped her hand out. Jaken's arms and legs snapped together and his whole form turned rigid. She made a simple gesture and his feet lifted from the floor and his body drifted to her until they were about an arm length away. "You will journey with us toad. You have no choice in the matter. The fate of the future hangs in the balance and I will not allow your stubbornness to destroy it."
Jaken gulped. Her eyes were chilling him, appearing as if she was looking into his soul. Hikari clenched her fist when he did not respond and Jaken nodded hurriedly. The air had been cut off from his windpipe and he breathed deeply, coughing as he was dropped to the ground.
She smiled and said, "Good, I thought you'd see things my way and don't even thing of trying to desert because I won't allow it. Oh and one more thing. They are not 'filthy humans' and Inuyasha is NOT 'that bastard hanyou.' Understand? They are your equals in this and we are not below you. After this is over, you may go where you wish until Sesshoumaru is released."
Hikari nodded at Jaken's agreement, lifting her eyebrow at the others as they stared at her, "What? I need these two to accompany you. I don't care if you want them to or not. They are going with you whether you like it or not."
Inuyasha and Sango looked both surprised and wary at the same time but Miroku merely looked thoughtful. "Is Kagome-sama aware of any of this Hikari-san?"
"Some of it. She listens and tells me things when she feels like contributing but she is still trying to regain her memory so she asks me many questions, some of which I can answer for her and some of which I can't," Hikari turned to Inuyasha, "It really is amazing what she will do for you. Even if she doesn't remember."
"O-Oi! Matte!" Inuyasha reached forwards but knew he was already too late, as the silver faded once more. Kagome turned her attention to the newest two to their group. Miroku drew Jaken aside, pulling out the scroll with the prophecy and explaining what had happened as well as he could, excluding the part with Sesshoumaru being pinned to a tree of course.
Jaken grumbled a bit but remained silent during the whole speech, what had just occurred was more than enough make him believe just about anything.
"Gomen ne Shippo-chan," Kagome whispered, crouching down and extending a hand to where the little kitsune was staring at her, fear and confusion clouding his eyes. Shippo watched the hand, not moving. "If you and Rin-chan come here, I can explain."
Rin went to her immediately, nothing seemed to move her from the cheerful state of mind. Shippo went slowly but eventually, they were both seated comfortably in her lap.
"Now listen to me you two. There's something very important that we have to do. Something that no one else can. But there are things that don't want us to finish it so they are going to try and stop us. When that time comes, The one who you just saw is Hikari. She won't hurt you. She's a friend okay?"
They nodded.
"Now Shippo-chan, I expect you to protect Rin-chan. Don't let her get hurt. I know you can do it."
Shippo's chest puffed with pride as he responded, "Hai! I will Kagome!"
Kagome smiled at both of them reassuringly, placing them both gently on the ground. She turned her attention to outside the small hut, having had something pull at her mind.
Kagome stood suddenly, her eyes confused but she recognized the steady pulse of what was coming. "There's a Shikon shard coming . . . I think."
"Eh?" Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at her critically but came to stand next to her to peer in the direction that she was staring.
"I'm not really sure . . ." Kagome said, her eyes narrowed as she focused on the presence that sent shivers down her spine, "But, I think that there's something big with it."
Inuyasha looked skeptical but stepped outside. "Keh," he snorted, "There's nothing there."
"Look out!" she shouted, ducking to cover the two little ones as best as she could. She threw one hand out to the ceiling, offering no explanation to her friends who were looking at her as if she had gone insane. Sango had just opened her mouth to inquire if she was feeling all right but at that moment, the hut shattered. Splintered planks of wood and debris flew at them, or would have, had the whole room not been covered in a glowing shield.
Kagome blinked, staring at her hand curiously, but not moving it as the junk still flew at them. Kagome glanced down at her other hand, lifting it and opening her fist when she felt something poking her. A small crystal pendant lay clenched in her palm. She lifted it closer to see that it hung on a thin silver-linked chain.
'Give it to him.'
Kagome nearly jumped at the voice but her control was strong enough so that she did not, for if she did, and she didn't know how she knew, but the shield would leave them and they would all be unprotected against whatever force was out there.
She looked at the necklace once more, understanding coming to her. "Inuyasha," she called out, gesturing with her hand for him to come to her.
"What is it?" Inuyasha crouched beside her.
"Here," she grabbed one of his hands, pressing the small item into it, "Please take it."
Inuyasha looked at it, confused, "What do I do with it?"
"You have to wear it. Please. It's important," Kagome pleaded with it. The understanding that it was vital that he wore it.
Inuyasha saw the pleading in her eyes and the fear that he would not accept it. He sighed, slipping the chan over his head slowly, tucking it carefully into his robes where it would not bother him. He released it, pondering why he could barely feel that it was there. He blinked when the necklace seemed to pulse. But when he glanced at it again, nothing was different and he felt nothing now.
He turned his attention back to the situation, the dust in the air cleared, and exposing the group to everything that was out there. Walking towards them were two familiar figures, backed by an enormous swarm of youkai.
"Kagura," Inuyasha spat harshly, drawing the Tetsusaiga in preparation.
"Kohaku," Sango's voice was much quieter, her youkai taijiya outfit ready and the Hiraikotsu swung over her back. Kirara was on her shoulder, bristling.
Kagome felt a strange, draining sensation fill her mind and she closed her eyes. But it was Hikari that opened them. The silver gleamed and the mark was blazing. She raised an eyebrow at everyone who was watching her.
"What? Kagome still doesn't remember enough to know what she's doing," was all that she offered by way of explanation, "Now listen to me carefully. If all goes right, Kagome will get her memory back. There are going to be challenges for all of you in this battle and I don't just mean physical. You must not give in to them. Sango, you already know about Kohaku but he is spawn of the darkness now. Remember that. I can tell you no more. But please, I beg of you, make your decisions wisely."
She stood, walking around the two children slowly, where she stepped leaving a thin silver line etched into the ground. "Do not leave here little ones and you will be safe," she told them.
She walked to the edge of the barrier that Kagome had created, pressing against it lightly. They all watched, shocked, as her hand flamed but she did not draw away, instead pressing deeper into it, before pulling back. She blew once on her flaming hand, extinguishing the fire but no mark was there to show that it had ever been there at all.
"Astounding," Hikari murmured, before turning to them to announce, "I cannot break it. Inuyasha, you will have to cut it with Tetsusaiga." She sighed when she noticed the confusion on their faces, "A full trained miko is able to control her powers at will. They work when she wants them to and to that extent. Kagome is different. She has not yet been trained and her powers are still in their raw state. Her powers work in a way that I have seen only once before. How well her miko powers work is determined on her desire and emotional state. The feeling of protecting all of you has increased her power to far stronger than she is supposed to be capable of. She has, somehow, in the past two years, been maturing her power little by little since it was revealed. But she has no idea how she has been doing it or how to control it. So she does not have the control that a trained miko has. Instead, her miko powers work based on her feelings and her will. This has made her barrier to strong for anyone, except herself to take down. But I believe that her aura will recognize yours and allow the Tetsusaiga to cut it
No one moved.
"Oh just cut the damn thing already Inuyasha," Hikari grumbled, growing impatient at the slowness in which everyone processed the information that they had been given.
Inuyasha glared at her but concentrated as the blade of the sword gleamed crimson. He lifted it above his head, leaping into the air, and shouting, "Kaze no Kizu!"
The ropes of wind swept from the red blade, striking the barrier fully. At first it appeared that it would not work as they watched the two forces fight for dominance. The barrier absorbed the winds, making it seem like the Kaze no Kizu had, had no effect. It wavered, shimmering in the air before slowly fading into nothing.
"Alright now," Hikari raised one arm to be parallel with the floor, her eyes narrowed, "Let's go."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jap. Translations:
Matte - wait
-san - Mr./Mrs. (same as -sama)
Kaze no Kizu - Wound of the Wind (the Tetsusaiga's attack)
Kitsune - fox
Gomen - sorry
Hai - yes
Taijiya - exterminator
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Note: Whew . . . This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Ah well, only a few parts left to go. Oh and for ther readers of 'Forlorn Hope,' it has been transferred to this account.
